- Thanks to containment, mosquitoes transmit fewer diseases this year than usual.
- Researchers do not know if the trend will be confirmed or reversed this summer, with the resumption of travel.
Let's start with a clarification: no, mosquitoes do not transmit the coronavirus. On the other hand, they can be vectors of dengue, chikungunya or the dreaded zika virus. The Interdepartmental Mosquito Control Agreement (EID), based in Montpellier for the Mediterranean region, therefore seeks to limit their proliferation. She has good news to share this year: for now, the risk of contracting one of these diseases is lower than usual.
"We have observed a fairly sharp decrease in the number of contaminations, points Grégory L'Ambert, medical entomologist at EID. In a month, we have 8 to 12 times less imported cases, that is to say travelers who return carrying the disease, compared to last year. "
"As many tiger mosquitoes as usual"
This phenomenon is explained by the confinement and the strong limitation of trips abroad and in the French overseas departments and territories. "Currently, there is a strong circulation of the dengue virus in the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean," recalls Grégory L'Ambert. It is not known whether the risk will remain low throughout the year. "
If cases are found in France, the EID mosquito mosquitoes will hasten to decontaminate the area, to avoid "indigenous cases", that is to say patients who would be contaminated by a "French" mosquito having bitten a patient returning from travel.
The return of mosquitoes 🦟 pic.twitter.com/IecKGTN9RF
- .Diieks🌪 (@ Diieks1) May 28, 2020"Unfortunately there are as many tiger mosquitoes as usual," laments Grégory L'Ambert. We have high temperatures which accelerate their development, so we will have to be very careful in the coming weeks. "
Destroy the breeding places
To limit the risk of getting bitten, it is advisable to clean all the containers that contain standing water around your home: gutters, flowerpots, planters ... "We hope that with confinement, people will have practiced the right gestures and will have destroyed the breeding places, "sighs Grégory L'Ambert, without believing too much.
The EID has already treated 800 hectares in the Provence Alpes Côtes d'Azur region to limit the proliferation of ordinary mosquitoes.
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- Tiger mosquito